Zechariah 2:8b “….for He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye.”

A round shiny apple! Doesn’t it make you smile just picturing a little boy proudly presenting such a gift to his favorite teacher? The apple is so perfectly polished that it creates a glint in the eye of the beholder; thus a look in his eye that says. “you are so remarkable to me that I want to give you this special apple.”

We see that same look in the eye of a mother and father as they behold their children. Each child is special and raises a feeling of pride. As we look upon each child there’s a certain glint in our eye that says, “You are significant, you are precious to me; I will always cherish you.” Such is the comparison God’s Word makes for each child of God: “the apple of His eye.” How special we must be to Him; how precious we must be to Him. What a wonderful position we hold in our Heavenly Father’s eye. This thought should bring great security because we know we will always be cared for.

Dear Christian woman, wife, or mother, are you carrying a heavy burden? Do you feel lonely? unloved? uncared for? Well then—-look up! There you will behold that glint in your Heavenly Father’s eye, and when you see that, your burdened spirit will be lifted. Then you will realize that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. Now our wishes and desires are not concentrated on self but on pleasing the One to whom we are so special. Oh, how I desire to be so careful to please my Lord, that I never cause that special look to dim or become saddened.

But perhaps the reader is not “in Christ” and you are saying to yourself. “I want to hold such a special position in God’s eye.” Well, come to Christ, repenting of your sin and believing that He died on the cross for you, for He says ” I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

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About Gail Slawson

I am a 70 year old wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. After 50 years of marriage, my husband and I have been richly blessed with 4 wonderful children and their wonderful mates and 19 precious grandchildren, five of whom are already with the Lord and 3 great-grandchildren. My husband and I are busy retirees and reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where we serve the Lord Jesus Christ through Bible Studies, as mentors and greeters in our church and telling others about Him "as we go." Mark 16:15

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Joseph Irons quote:
“God’s words a sovereign power conveyed,
Confirmed each promise He had made,
My ifs and buts I laid aside,
And now in shalls and wills confide
You want to know what you are?

The constituent parts of a man would be equal to 1200 eggs, iron enough to make two ten-penny nails, phosphorus to make 4,000 matches, fat to make 75 candles…or more, one cake of soap, enough hydrogen to fill a balloon, 60 spoonfuls of salt, a bowl of sugar and six gallons of water…that’s you. Charles Mayo of the Mayo Clinic says you have enough lime to whitewash a chicken coop, magnesium enough to make a dose of magnesia, potassium enough to explode a toy cannon, sulphur enough to rid a dog of fleas, that’s you. But some day you’re going to be incorruptible.

Thoughts on Motherhood

Here is a quote from Elisabeth Elliot to encourage you today. It is taken from her book, The Shaping of a Christian Family: “There is no nobler career than that of motherhood at its best. There are no possibilities greater, and in no other sphere does failure bring more serious penalties. With what diligence then should she prepare herself for such a task? If the mechanic who is to work with “things” must study at technical school, if the doctor into whose skilled hands will be entrusted human lives, must go through medical school . . . how much more should the mother who is fashioning the souls of the men and women of tomorrow, learn at the highest of all schools and from the Master-Sculptor Himself, God.

“To attempt this task, unprepared and untrained is tragic and its results affect generations to come. On the other hand there is no higher height to which humanity can attain than that occupied by a converted, heaven-inspired, praying mother.”

Profiting From Trials
“Count it all Joy when you encounter various trials” James 1:2
“Our values determine our evaluations.
If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us.
If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to count it all joy.
If we live only for the present, and forget the future, then trials will make us bitter, not better,”
Warren Wiersbe

Quote from Nancy
“God is glorified through thankful, trusting, obedient, compassionate, serving, virtuous, joyful, feminine women who reflect to our world the heart and character of the Lord Jesus Himself. As we are filled with His Spirit, we radiate His beauty and make the Gospel believable.” Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Psalm 118:14
“The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.”

Daniel and Praying
Daniel 6:10 Daniel “kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God.” Busy as he was, Daniel found time to pray, and a man whose habit it is to call upon God, saves time, instead of losing it. He has a clearer head, a more collected mind, and can act with more decision when circumstances require it. Dwight L. Moody

From the Autobiography of John Paton
From the autobiography of John Paton: While making collections for an extremely large sum of money to purchase a ship to be used for the mission work in the New Hebrides, missionary John Paton was asked, “On what then do you really rely?” Answering them in full confidence and assurance John Paton said,” I will set forth the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ on the people……….and I will go on, to my utmost strength, in the faith that the Lord will send me the 6000#’s required. If He does not so send it, then I shall expect He will send me grace to be reconciled to the disappointment, and I shall go back to my work without the ship.”

C.H. Spurgeon quote:
” This world is not my rest. This is the place of the furnace, the forge and the hammer. But the enemy has been overcome. I fight a beaten foe.”

Prayer
Prayer finds its meaning in the purposes of God. copied

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain: Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Through death into life everlasting,
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conqu’rors we are!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Helen H Lemmel, 1922

P & P Prayer
When I am waiting on prayers to be answered, give me, O Lord, an attitude of Perseverance and Persistence.

Our Speech
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6
John MacArthur comments: “Just as salt not only flavors, but prevents corruption, the Christian’s speech should act not only as a blessing to others, but as a purifying influence within the decaying society of the world.” world.”

The Lord’s Hand
” Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1

Jesus Is All The World To Me
“Jesus is all the world to me, My life, my joy, my all; He is my strength from day to day, Without Him I would fall. When I am sad, to Him I go, No other one can cheer me so; When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my Friend.
Jesus is all the world to me, My Friend in trials sore; I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them o’er and o’er. He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest’s golden grain; Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, He’s my Friend.
Jesus is all the world to me, And true to Him I’ll be; Oh, how could I this Friend deny, When He’s so true to me? Following Him I know I’m right, He watches o’er me day and night; Following Him by day and night, He’s my Friend.
Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend; I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when Life’s fleeting days shall end. Beautiful life with such a Friend, Beautiful life that has no end; Eternal life, eternal joy, He’s my Friend.”

The Biblical Definition of Love
Couldn’t help but pass this on: The Biblical Definition of Love: “We typically define love in terms of emotion—how we feel. The Biblical definition of love is passionately, righteously and sacrificially pursuing the well being of another. You can love even when the emotions aren’t there, because love starts with a decision, that sometimes you will emote with, other times you won’t emote with, but if you are passionately, righteously, and sacrificially pursing the well being of another, you are, in fact, loving according to God’s standard, for ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.’ Love was seen in His willingness to sacrifice for our well-being.” Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship of Dallas Tx.

Words from Sandra
Anybody can say they are a Christian, but if there is no change in their life, then they have not met Jesus Christ. When the God of the universe saves you, you are a new creation. Old things are passed away and all is become new. I am not the Sandra I was before I met Christ and praise God for it!

Words from Elizabeth
God’s gift of life and motherhood are precious gifts. This life is not about our happiness and what we can do to make ourselves happy. It’s about Christ and what we can do for Him.

Words from Cristy
Isaiah 35–I’m just thankful that this is the kind of God who sent His Son for me. And I long for the day when the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap and the mute will shout. Be Glorified, Father.

Words from Emily
I had an ultrasound this week and got to hear my baby’s heartbeat! No doubt in my mind that the heart, head, limbs and other organs are not just a “cluster of cells” or a “group of tissue”, but an intelligently designed being-not a choice.

Organizational Tip
Here’s my little tip for moms with young children: Sunday mornings are always incredibly hectic! Saturday night before church, lay out your kids’ clothes, pack the diaper bag, get drinks prepared and store in the fridge (of course), have shoes in a special spot so you know where they (BOTH) are in the morning. As you get the kids ready for bed, you can involve them in some of these steps such as picking out their clothes. We’ve made a game out of this for the kids, and it helps lower this mama’s stress level significantly! Cristy Slawson

This Is My Father’s World
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!(copied)

A Victorious Life
God didn’t promise us an easy life, but He did promise us a victorious life. I Corinthians 15:57 “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I walked a mile
I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way.
But left me none the wiser,
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ner’er a word said she.
But, oh, the things I learned from her,
When Sorrow walked with me.
Robert Browning Hamilton

A Prayer
“Teach us to make the most of every opportunity as we spread everywhere the fragrance of Christ.” (copied)

Trials
Trials cannot destroy faith, they only test it. John MacArthur

Quote from John MacArthur
“Keeping a Godly home with excellence for one’s husband and children is the Christian woman’s non-negotiable responsibility.” John MacArthur, www.gty.org

God and Our Battles
II Chronicles 20:15b “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but the Lord’s.” 22 “When they began singing and praising, the Lord set the ambush…….they looked toward the multitude, and behold, they were corpses on the ground and no one had escaped.”

Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.”

Isaiah 25:4 Our God Is……
“For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible one is as a storm against the wall.”

Nehemiah 9:17
“Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.”

Prayer in Nehemiah 9:5-8
Arise, bless the Lord your God forever and ever! O, may Your glorious name be blessed, And exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are the Lord. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The seas and all that is in them. You gave life to all of them, And the heavenly host bows down before You. You are the Lord God….. for You are righteous.

Commitment
Begin each day with “Lord, I commit this day to You.”

The Bible
Here is the spring where waters flow, To quench our heat of sin:
Here is the tree where truth doth grow, to lead our lives therein:
Here is the judge that stints the strife, When men’s devices fail:
Here is the bread that feeds the life, That death cannot assail.
The tidings of salvation dear, Comes to our ears from hence: The fortress of our faith is here, And shield of our defense.
Then be not like the swine that hath A pearl at his desire, And takes more pleasure from the trough And wallowing in the mire.
Read not His book in any case, But with a single eye:
Read not but first desire God’s grace, To understand thereby.
Pray still in faith with this respect, To bear good fruit therein,
That knowledge may bring this effect, To mortify your sin.
1. Then happy you shall be in all your life, What so to you befalls:
Yes, double happy you shall be, When God by death you calls.
(From the first Bible printed in Scotland–1576)

Prayer For Our Country
‘Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!’ Billy Graham

Isaiah 43:5a
“Fear not, for I am with thee.”

E.M. Bounds quote
“Our prayers need to be pressed and pursued with an energy that never tires, a persistency which will not be denied, and a courage which never fails.”

What a Friend We Have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry, Every thing to God in pray. Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry. Everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations. Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share. Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden? Cumbered with a load of care.? Precious Savior still our refuge. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He’ll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.
by Joseph Scriven 1820-1886

Wisdom
Only one life, I will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.

Forgiveness
“We need not climb up into heaven, to see whether our sins are forgiven. Let us look into our hearts and see if we can forgive others. If we can, we need not doubt that God has forgiven us.” Thomas Watson

John 16:33
“In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.”

Prayer
Don’t pray in defeat, as if your prayer will never be answered. Pray in expectation, knowing and believing God can and will bring about His will.

Quote
Life is constantly a setting aside of our own self-fulfillment and seeking only God’s will, honor and glory. GS

Wisdom
“The days that we might call mundane and repetitive are actually full of significant purpose…when we’ve devoted those days to God.” Anna Moore

Grace and Peace
Grace- the means of salvation
Peace- the result of salvation

Rainbows
It takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow. (copied)

Jesus said “Come Unto Me”
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Great Quote
After reading Darwin’s theory of evolution, Louis Agassiz, a scientist who lived from 1807-1873, said,” The resources of the Deity cannot be so meager that in order to create a human being endowed with reason, He must change a monkey into a man.”

Forgiveness
“He who demands mercy and shows none, ruins the bridge over which he himself must pass.” Thomas Adams

From God’s Word…….
“But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Nehemiah 9:17b (ESV)

Thoughts on Prayer
“It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly continue in prayer, until we obtain an answer; and further, we have not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing.” George Mueller

Martin Luther Quote
“The Word is such a unique Book.
When I am tired the Bible is my bed;
for in the dark the Bible is my Light.
When I am hungry, it is Living Bread;
if fearful, it is Armor for the fight.
When I am sick, it is healing medicine;
or lonely, throngs of friends. I find therein.
If I would work, the Bible is my tool; or play, it is the Harp of tuneful sound.
If I am ignorant, it is my school.
If I am sinking it is solid ground.
If I am cold, the Bible is my fire and it gives wings, if boldly I aspire.
Does gloom oppress? The Bible is a Sun.
Midst ugliness, it is a garden fair.
Am I athirst? how cool it’s waters run. Or stifled, what a vivifying air.
Since thus Thou givest of Thyself to me: How should I give myself Great Book to Thee?”

Let’s Laugh
Quote written in Grandma Barber’s diary: “To love the whole world for me is no chore; my only problem’s my neighbor next door.”

Act Like Men
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13

David Saw God
As David faced Goliath, he didn’t see himself, he saw God. copied

II Timothy 4:17
“The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.”

MacArthur quote
“If you are a parent, the most precious gift you can give your child is a godly upbringing that will serve as the foundation for his or her future ministries.” Pastor John MacArthur

My Prayer For You
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance on you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24

Prayer in Nehemiah 9:5-8
“Arise, bless the Lord your God forever and ever! O, may Your glorious name be blessed, And exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are the Lord. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The seas and all that is in them. You gave life to all of them, And the heavenly host bows down before You. You are the Lord God….. for You are righteous.”

D.L. Moody quote:
“There is no right way to do a wrong thing.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”

Content in the Storm
A violent storm thrashes about; a choir of sparrows find refuge on our porch. Perched on the back of our old glider, they sing,…oh, how they sing! Your eye is on them, Lord, they seem to know; content and still, all in a row they sit, and wait,… anticipate the quiet stillness,…another day of sunshine. May I learn their lesson,…learn it well; though life be stormy, days be long,… my heart be filled with a song of praise; and with faith, await your Son. Dixie Perry Hurricane Isaac Aug. 29, 2012

Wisdom from C.H. Spurgeon
“The way to grow strong in Christ is to become weak in yourself. God pours no power into man’s heart till man’s power is all poured out. The Christian life is one of daily dependence on the grace and strength of God.”

God Answers Prayer
I know not by what methods rare, but this I know, God answers prayer. I know that He has given His word which tells me prayer is always heard, and will be answered sooner or later and so I pray and calmly wait. I know not if the blessing sought, will come in just the way I thought, but leave my prayers with Him alone, whose will is wiser than my own. Assured that he will grant my quest or send some answer far most blest.” copied-author unknown

Difficulties
Each difficulty we face, is an opportunity to display God’s faithfulness to others around us that they might turn and believe in Him, too. (copied)

Pride
Having any problems with pride? Read Job 38-39!

Forgiveness
When I become bitter or unforgiving toward others, I’m assuming that the sins of others are more serious than my sins against God. The cross transforms my perspective. Through the cross I realize that no sin committed against me will ever be as serious as the innumerable sins I’ve committed against God. When we understand how much God has forgiven us, it’s not difficult to forgive others. C.J. Mahaney

Amazing Love
How much does the Lord Jesus Christ love me? ” As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9

Elizabeth Elliot Quote:
“God will not protect you from anything that will make you more like Jesus”

Smile
Quote: Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning, the devil says, “Oh no, she’s up!”

Are You Growing?
We all need to grow in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through daily, diligent, committed Bible study and prayer, as individuals and families. Biblically sound families and individuals make strong committed churches and witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ. A full cup will naturally overflow and so our love for Christ will naturally overflow to a lost and dying world as we be come filled with His Word and it also results in a desire to live a life surrendered to God’s Will. gs

May the Mind of Christ My Savior
May the mind of Christ, my Savior, Live in me from day to day, By His love and power controlling All I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly In my heart from hour to hour, So that all may see I triumph Only through His power.
May the peace of God my Father Rule my life in everything, That I may be calm to comfort Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me As the waters fill the sea; Him exalting, self abasing, This is victory.
May I run the race before me, Strong and brave to face the foe, Looking only unto Jesus As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me, As I seek the lost to win, And may they forget the channel, Seeing only Him.

Who Am I ?
I am a 69 year old wife, mother and grandmother. After 49 years of marriage, my husband and I have been richly blessed with 4 wonderful children and their wonderful mates and 19 precious grandchildren, five of whom are already with the Lord, and 3 great-grandchildren. I have attended church all my life, but never saw myself a lost sinner in need of a Savior until I was 28 years old. It was then that the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin and I was brought to repentance and the Lord graciously saved me and I have praised Him ever since. Psalm 40:2-3a “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a Rock, and established my going. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:”
My daily prayer: ” But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Galatians 6:14

Trials
“Did you ever hear of anyone being very much used for Christ who did not have some special waiting time, some complete upset of all his or her plans?” Frances Havergal, hymn writer.

The Leading of the Lord
Psalm 23:2-3 “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters: He restoreth my soul.” God does not lead me year by year, Nor even day by day, But step by step my path unfolds; My Lord directs my way. Tomorrow’s plans I do not know, I only know this minute; But He will say, “This is the way, By faith now walk ye in it.” And I am glad that it is so; Today’s enough to bear; And when tomorrow comes, His grace Shall far exceed its care. What need to worry then, or fret? The God who gave His Son Holds all my moments in His hand, And gives them to me one by one. (copied)

Question?
Would you be in prison with Paul? He preached and sang and prayed and people were saved. What if Paul had sat in jail and sulked?

Only One Life
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I’m dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” copied

Calling God’s People to Worship by Anselm of Cantebury
“Up slight man, Flee for a little while thy occupations. Hide thyself for a time from thy disturbing thoughts. Pass away now thy toilsome cares and put aside thy burdensome business. Yield room for some little time with God, and rest a little while in Him. In the inner chamber, shut out all thoughts save those of God, and such as can aid thee in worshiping Him. Speak now to God and say ‘I seek Thy face, Thy face, Lord, do I seek.’ ”

Psalm 119:71
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statues.”

From God’s Word…..
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Mothers
We are not “just” mothers, we are “called” to be mothers. Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Psalms 13:5
“But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me”

Let’s Get Organized
Keep cleaning products such as glass, sink and tub cleaner, rags and paper towels in each bathroom and under the kitchen sink for quick clean ups.

Compassion/Sympathy
Compassion is concern that results in action. The Greeks used the term in the context of action. It is a foundational character trait of the Lord Jesus Christ and the believers who devoted themselves to Him. The Greek language has no stronger expression for sympathy.

Worry
“Worry is interest paid on trouble before it’s due.” William Ens

Anxiety
Anxiety is living out the future before we get there. (copied)

MacArthur quote
“True faith is not a single event, but a way of life; it endures. That endurance is called the perseverance of the saints.”

George Mueller’s Prayer
George Mueller took care of many orphans and prayed that God “would answer in such a way that the children and everyone else will see that You are the Living God Who does not forsake, even in hard times, those who rely on Him. I want them to see that You are the faithful, prayer-answering God: that they can count on You to take care of them, even after they leave the orphanage.”

Take Heed
LIFE is short.
DEATH is certain.
ETERNITY is forever.

Anne Sullivan quote (Helen Keller’s teacher)
I have thought about it a great deal, and the more I think, the more certain I am that obedience is the gateway through which knowledge, yes, and love, too, enter the mind of the child.

The Bible
God’s Word is “a lamp shining in a dark place. I Peter 1:19 Don’t neglect it !

Question?
If you were on trial for being a follower of Jesus Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Hope
Hope serves to fill in the gaps between the desire for blessing and the blessing itself. Steve Neill, missionary to Tanzania

More on Worry
“Worry is a thin stream of fear that trickles through the mind. If encouraged, it will cut a channel so wide that all other thoughts will be drowned in it.” copied

Forgiveness
“How can we, who have been loved first in our state of total depravity, turn around and become selective in extending our love and forgiveness?” copied

Quote from John Newton
“What a comfortable thought is this: to be a believer, to know amid all the various interfering designs of men, that the Lord has one constant design, which He cannot, will not miss, namely, His own glory in the complete salvation of His people: and that He is wise, and strong, and faithful , to make even those things which seem contrary to this design, subservient to promote it. Out of the Depths page 51

The Five Solas
Sola Scriptura-God’s Word Alone
Solo Christo-By Christ Alone
Sola Fide-by Faith Alone
Sola Gratia-By Grace Alone
Soli Deo Gloria-Glory to God Alone
Our son wrote a song to help young people learn these five solas and their meaning. Visit www.thbmm.com to see the words and hear the music to this song and others he wrote.

Spurgeon quote
“Because God is the Living God, He can hear; because He is the Loving God, He will hear; because He is our Covenant God, He has bound Himself to hear us.” C H Spurgeon

Did Jesus Cry?
“I think it’s the Christmas carol “Away in a Manger” that says, “The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes.” You mean to tell me that because He was God He didn’t cry? All babies cry. It isn’t necessarily a sign of sin. He cried when He was a man, why can’t He cry when He’s a baby? ” John MacArthur

Bibles I use
For this Bible Encouragement blog I will be using the Thompson’s Chain-Reference Bible, KJV (the one I studied with for 42 years), The MacArthur Study Bible, NASB and the English Standard Version (ESV)

A Plan
Purpose and Discipline = Structure and Order = Rest and Strength

Our Homes
Our homes should be a sanctuary from the world.

El Roi
“May the hurting come to know You as El Roi, The God Who Sees them. Bind up the brokenhearted. Set the captives free. Replace mourning with Your oil of gladness. Comfort them so they will have a ministry of comfort to others.” (copied)

II Corinthians 1:3-4 ” Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

Sparrow and Wildflower
Said the wild flower to the sparrow: `I should really like to know,
Why these anxious human beings, rush about and worry so?’
“Said the sparrow to the wild flower: `Friend I think that it must be,
That they have no Heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me.'”

Comment on “Victory In Battle”
“This world is not our HOME and some days are much harder because of that fact.”

Wisdom
“Only the Lord can turn that which seems “bad” by earthly standards into a blessing. How I praise Him for that, all the while asking for grace to endure.” copied

Books I Recommend
“The MacArthur Study Bible” buy at www.gty.org “Faith’s Checkbook” by CH Spurgeon
“Hero’s of the Faith” series
“Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” by John Foxe
“Strange Tales” by John Ashworth
“To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson” by C. Anderson
“At The Throne of Grace” a book of prayers by John MacArthur
“Out of the Depths” by John Newton,
John Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides

God’s Grace
GOD’S GRACE DOES NOT MEAN HOLINESS IS OPTIONAL.

Martin Luther quote
“The greater God’s gifts and works, the less they are regarded.” (by us) Let us not be guilty of thinking light of God’s blessings.

Nehemiah 9:32
OUR GOD, THE GREAT, THE MIGHTY, AND THE AWESOME GOD, WHO KEEPS COVENANT AND LOVINGKINDNESS.

“Others”
“Lord help me live from day to day In such a self-forgetful way That even when I kneel to pray My prayer shall be for – Others.
Help me in all the work I do To ever be sincere and true And know that all I do for you Must needs be done for – Others.
Let “Self” be crucified and slain And buried deep; and all in vain May efforts be to rise again Unless to live for – Others.
And when my work on earth is done And my new work in heaven’s begun May I forget the crown I’ve won While thinking still of – Others.
Others, Lord, yes others Let this my motto be Help me to live for others That I may live like Thee.”
Charles Meigs (1890-1902)

Sweet Invitation
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Think About It
God offers men what is really valuable. It’s INCREDIBLE the extremes they go to, to find what’s worthless. (copied)

Rainbows
“I takes both RAIN and SUNSHINE to make a RAINBOW” copied

Question ?
“What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” (copied)

I Chronicles 16:11
“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.”

Thank you, Pastor
Dear Pastor, I lift up my prayer of thanksgiving for the gift the Lord has provided through you. You preach God’s Word with dedication and love. You teach and instruct us in the ways of the Lord. You share your life with us, graciously giving of your time. God bless you, Pastor. (copied)

Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Dying
‘I’m standing on the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She’s an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and the sky come down to mingle with each other. And then I hear someone at my side saying “There, she’s gone.” Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, “There, she’s gone,” there are other eyes watching her coming, and there are other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she come!” And that is dying.’ C.H. Spurgeon

Tony Evans
The Biblical definition of Love: “We typically define love in terms of emotion—how we feel. The Biblical definition of love is passionately, righteously and sacrificially pursuing the well being of another. You can love even when the emotions aren’t there, because love starts with a decision, that sometimes you will emote with, other times you won’t emote with, but if you are passionately, righteously, and sacrificially pursing the well being of another, you are, in fact, loving according to God’s standard, for ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.’ Love was seen in His willingness to sacrifice for our well-being.”

Lying
If you teach your children to lie for you, you should never punish them when they lie to you. copied

Know Jesus
NO JESUS, NO PEACE
KNOW JESUS, KNOW PEACE

Matthew Henry quote
” The way to increase what we have is to use it.”

Faith
” Since faith unites us with Christ, it cannot be lifeless.” quote

Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see.
Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear; and Grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come. Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.

John Bunyan quote
“To this one will I look…who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 “He that is down needs fear no fall. He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall have God to be his guide.”

Let’s Get Organized
Keep scotch tape and scissors handy by placing them in at least 2- 3 places in your home.

Jesus’ Humiliation
“Hast thou been hungry, child of mine? I, too, have needed bread. For forty days I tasted not till by the angels fed.
Hast thou been thirsty? On the cross I suffered thirst for thee. I’ve promised to supply thy need, my child, come to Me.
When thou art sad and tears fall fast, My heart goes out to thee, for I wept o’er Jerusalem, the place so dear to Me.
And when I came to Lazarus’ tomb, I wept. My heart was sore. I’ll comfort thee when thou dost weep till sorrows are all o’er.”
Sure He wept. He was human in all the fullness of humanness. (copied)

The Way
God didn’t make “a” way for salvation, He made “the” way for salvation.

The Tongue
Remember the tongue is in a wet place and it can slip easily. copied

Quote
Salvation is of the Lord and I’m so glad. How fearful a thing it would be to fall into the hands of man. How sure a thing it is to fall into the hands of the Living God. GS

Quote from a New Believer
“I thank God so much for giving me eyes to see and ears to hear. I LOVE watching Him work in my life! This faith I have now is LIFESAVING !

Organizing Tip
Put 3 or 4 extra plastic bags in the bottom of the trash can before opening the new bag, then whenever you remove the next full bag of trash a new clean bag will already be there.

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